Healthcare Fraud And Abuse is now practically institutional almost the point of just being figured into the cost of insurance and other healthcare cost. All of this fraud must be paid for by someone and it is by the rest of us.

It is estimated that Health care fraud costs the United States about $80 billion per year. And it continues to rise in a harming manner, with U.S. health care spending topping $2.7 trillion there seems to be plenty of money to waste.

From Politicians, Doctors, Hospitals, Clinics, Drug Companies and more there is no one group that corners the market on the abuse.

Some is mistakes, oversight but, many like the cases spelled out the headlines from one local news organization below are blatant fraud.

FEATURED ARTICLES From The Chicago Tribune In One Week Of News All This Healthcare Fraud AppearedSchaumburg doctor convicted of health care fraudBy Rosemary Sobol and Tribune reporter | March 14, 2012A federal jury convicted a physician who operated a Chatham neighborhood medical clinic on the South Side of engaging in a health care fraud scheme between 2007 and July 2010, the U.S. Attorney’s office said today. Dr. Jaswinder Rai Chhibber, who operated the former Cottage Grove Community Medical Clinic, 642 East 79th St., was convicted Tuesday of defrauding Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois by submitting false insurance claims for medically unnecessary tests..Bolingbrook doctor charged with dispensing drugs illegally, Medicare fraudBy Geoff Ziezulewicz and Tribune reporter | February 20, 2014A southwest suburban doctor has been charged with dispensing prescription medications illegally and fraudulently billing Medicare, according to federal authorities. Sathish Narayanappa Babu, 47, of Bolingbrook, was arrested Wednesday by federal agents after officials from numerous agencies searched his residence and his Darien office, according to a news release Thursday from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Illinois. Agents…Aurora doctor charged with tax, health care fraudStaff report | August 12, 2011An Aurora physician has been indicted on fraud charges for allegedly diverting nearly a million dollars from his medical practice and failing to pay income taxes on it. Joseph M. Tages, 65, is also accused of submitting insurance claims falsely stating he regularly saw patients for follow-up office visits on Mondays, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Tages owns West Suburban Medical and Surgical Associates and operates the Aurora Health Center in Aurora. …Hospice owner charged with Medicare, Medicaid fraudBy Jason Meisner and Tribune reporter | January 27, 2014As the head of one of the fastest-growing hospice and nursing home networks in the state, Seth Gillman often talked about his mission of improving the quality of care for those in the final stages of life. “Give patients everything they need, even that little extra that makes life worth living,” Gillman told the health care site Life Matters Media in November, citing the poor hospice care he witnessed his grandmother receive a decade ago as the inspiration for his…Blagojevich fundraiser accused of health care fraudBy Jeff Coen and John Chase, Chicago Tribune reporters | June 21, 2012A longtime friend of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.who was at the center of a Senate seat scandal that sent ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich to prison was arrested Wednesday in his own federal fraud case, accused of bribing doctors to send patients to his surgical centers. Raghuveer Nayak, a wealthy businessman and former campaign fundraiser for both politicians, was indicted on charges he secretly paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to physicians from 2000 to 2010 to have patients…State temporarily suspends doctor charged in Sacred Heart health care fraud caseBy Annie Sweeney, Chicago Tribune reporter | September 13, 2013The state has temporarily suspended the license of a doctor charged in the Sacred Heart Hospital Medicaid and Medicare fraud scandal after his attorneys asked a judge in Indiana to delay his unrelated trial there because he is was “medically unfit. ” Dr. Subir Maitra, one of four doctors named in the alleged Sacred Heart conspiracy, faces trial in November in the Northern District of Indiana on similar fraud charges. This week his attorneys…City Catches On To Health Care FraudOctober 5, 1991For the last five years, the City of Chicago’s health care system has been allowed to run out of control, costing taxpayers millions of dollars because of fraud, mismanagement and bureaucratic neglect. Incredibly, City Hall ignored a health care financing scandal for years, despite repeated warnings that spiraling costs could sink the city budget. Since 1985, the annual cost of the city’s self-insured health care system has doubled, to $250 million. A new report commissioned by Mayor…
Doctor accused in kickback scheme indicted in separate scheme
By Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune reporter | June 21, 2013
A doctor accused in an elaborate kickback scheme involving unnecessary surgeries at a Chicago hospital has been indicted on separate charges that he sent patients from his Little Village clinic to surgery centers in northwest Indiana and fraudulently billed their insurance for procedures that were never performed. Dr. Subir Maitra, 73, was indicted Thursday in U.S. District Court in Hammond on six counts of health care fraud. According to the indictment, Maitra…
Doctor who treated chronic Lyme disease indicted
By Trine Tsouderos, Chicago Tribune reporter | July 9, 2012
A physician featured in a Tribune story about the dubious diagnosis and risky treatment of chronic Lyme disease has been indicted on federal charges of health care fraud and filing false tax returns, according to court records. Dr. Carol Ann Ryser, who specialized in treating people with chronic illnesses, is accused of billing Medicare, the military health program Tricare and private insurance companies for physician office visits when she was really out of town, for…
U.S. sues Novartis, alleging kickbacks to pharmacies
Bernard Vaughan and Jonathan Stempel and Reuters | April 23, 2013
(Reuters) – The U.S. government filed a civil fraud lawsuit against Novartis AG on Tuesday, accusing a unit of the Swiss drug maker of causing the Medicare and Medicaid programs to pay tens of millions of dollars in reimbursements based on fraudulent, kickback-tainted claims. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan said Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp had since 2005 induced at least 20 pharmacies to switch thousands of kidney transplant patients to its immunosuppressant drug…
Plainfield man fined, ordered to write essay for skipping out on jury duty
By Annie Sweeney, Chicago Tribune reporter | July 11, 2012
Medical sales representative Scott Enke says he has been asked virtually every day – by everyone from lunch ladies to close friends – for an explanation after it became public recently that he bolted from town for a business trip in the midst of serving on a federal jury in Chicago. “It’s usually starts with, ‘Why are you skipping out on jury duty?'” Enke explained Tuesday to a federal judge who was about to sentence him for his violation of court..
U.S. recovers $4.2 bln from healthcare fraud probes-report
Reuters | February 11, 2013
Feb 11 (Reuters) – The Obama administration said on Monday that its efforts to combat fraud in the Medicare and Medicaid healthcare programs were paying off as the government recovered a record $4.2 billion in fiscal 2012 from individuals and companies trying to cheat the system. For every dollar spent investigating healthcare fraud over the past three years, the government recovered $7.90, according to a report released on Monday by U.S. Attorney…
Bolingbrook doctor charged with dispensing drugs illegally, Medicare fraud
By Geoff Ziezulewicz and Tribune reporter | February 20, 2014
A southwest suburban doctor has been charged with dispensing prescription medications illegally and fraudulently billing Medicare, according to federal authorities. Sathish Narayanappa Babu, 47, of Bolingbrook, was arrested Wednesday by federal agents after officials from numerous agencies searched his residence and his Darien office, according to a news release Thursday from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Illinois. Agents…
South Barrington surgeon sentenced in Medicare scam
Staff report | September 5, 2012
A 63-year-old vascular and thoracic surgeon was sentenced today to 10 months in custody after being convicted of making false statements in post-operation reports relating to health care services and Medicare benefits, federal officials said. Dr. John Natale, of South Barrington, was convicted in May on two counts of making false statements, but the jury also acquitted him of two counts of health care fraud and one count of mail fraud. U.S. District Judge Rebecca…
Hospice owner charged with Medicare, Medicaid fraud
By Jason Meisner and Tribune reporter | January 27, 2014
As the head of one of the fastest-growing hospice and nursing home networks in the state, Seth Gillman often talked about his mission of improving the quality of care for those in the final stages of life. “Give patients everything they need, even that little extra that makes life worth living,” Gillman told the health care site Life Matters Media in November, citing the poor hospice care he witnessed his grandmother receive a decade ago as the inspiration for his…
Plainfield man fined, ordered to write essay for skipping out on jury duty
By Annie Sweeney, Chicago Tribune reporter | July 11, 2012
Medical sales representative Scott Enke says he has been asked virtually every day – by everyone from lunch ladies to close friends – for an explanation after it became public recently that he bolted from town for a business trip in the midst of serving on a federal jury in Chicago. “It’s usually starts with, ‘Why are you skipping out on jury duty?'” Enke explained Tuesday to a federal judge who was about to sentence him for his violation of court…
Doctor accused in kickback scheme indicted in separate scheme
By Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune reporter | June 21, 2013
A doctor accused in an elaborate kickback scheme involving unnecessary surgeries at a Chicago hospital has been indicted on separate charges that he sent patients from his Little Village clinic to surgery centers in northwest Indiana and fraudulently billed their insurance for procedures that were never performed. Dr. Subir Maitra, 73, was indicted Thursday in U.S. District Court in Hammond on six counts of health care fraud. According to the indictment
Doctor who treated chronic Lyme disease indicted
By Trine Tsouderos, Chicago Tribune reporter | July 9, 2012
A physician featured in a Tribune story about the dubious diagnosis and risky treatment of chronic Lyme disease has been indicted on federal charges of health care fraud and filing false tax returns, according to court records. Dr. Carol Ann Ryser, who specialized in treating people with chronic illnesses, is accused of billing Medicare, the military health program Tricare and private insurance companies for physician office visits when she was really out of town

One ask what can be done to stop the healthcare fraud it is our belief we need to put the patient back in control of the paying position. As it is now most patients have no idea the cost of their care they simply pay a premium and expect everyone to be honest well, we can tell from the round up of news above that is just not the case.

If patients were in the paying postion they would be more price conscientious, possible shop around but, now there is no competition in healthcare there is only choice and that choice is getting more more expensive for us all as many rape the healthcare system.

The government has a mandate to crack down on fraud to save money spent on fraudulent activity. State and federal law enforcement agencies place significant emphasis on investigating and prosecuting all forms of health care fraud, including Medicaid and Medicare fraud.

With the knowledge of a former United States attorney and highly experienced criminal defense lawyers on our team at Hertz Schram, we are equipped to provide exceptional defense representation to clients facing state or federal charges for health care fraud in Florida and other states.

The majority of Medicare and Medicaid fraud cases involve some form of overbilling, overuse (of drugs or services) and kickbacks. These cases are very statute-specific and fact-intensive. It is important to hire a health care fraud defense lawyer who understands what is involved and what is necessary to achieve results.

With the complexity of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes or the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) used for billing health care services, innocent mistakes in billing can happen easily.

Unfortunately, law enforcement officials sometimes see these unintended errors as intentional and file charges of health care fraud. Seasoned criminal defense attorneys in Orlando understand the complexity of government charging methods and know how to defend professionals facing investigation for false billing or other forms of health care fraud.

Stress from all the healthcare changes etc has America stressed out so I figure I give you some tips on how to choose a good massage, we can all use one.

A Few Of The Things You Must Look For When Getting A Massage
Massage has long been something that millions of people have enjoyed and millions more have wanted to learn more about. Given the voluminous information available on the topic, it can be difficult to sort the good material from the bad. Fortunately, by reading the article that follows, you can gain a proper understanding of some of the most important elements of massage.

Start your massage at the top of the back. This is important as there are a lot of muscles and knots tied up in this area. This technique will help you to soothe the person you are massaging and serves as a great bridge to the other areas of the body.

Regulate your breathing during a massage. It is not uncommon to feel apprehension or anxiety during a massage, particularly if you are new to receiving them. Remember that you are in a safe environment and dealing with a professional. You will not be able to relax if your breathing is not normal.

If you experience stress or other negative emotions, you should try massaging specific points of your body. Target your nerve endings to get your body to relax. Sensitive nerve endings are located along your spine, the top of your head and in different parts of your face. You should try gently tapping on the top of your head, your forehead, cheeks and chin before taking a deep breath.

If you have arthritis, you know how painful it is. Medicine can help, but it does not relieve all the pain. Try a massage if pain medications aren’t enough. Massages help with improving your circulation, getting your blood flowing and allow your joints to become more flexible.

Don’t take massages for granted. Going in for a massage can relieve pain, reduce stress and give you added energy. You should try a professional massage, no matter what your complaint might be!

If you are suffering from back pain and traditional back massages are not alleviating the pain, try a hand massage. Firmly press into the meaty area between your thumb and index finger and gently massage. This type of massage is especially effective for muscle spasms and pulled back muscles.

There are many benefits to getting a Thai massage. In addition to reliving tension you may have in your joints and muscles, it can also strengthen your nervous system and help you become more flexible. The therapist will stretch your body out for you, but you must control your breathing.

Anyone that’s into sports knows a little bit about a sports massage. Anyone else who likes to exercise, but isn’t a pro, can use it to their advantage, too. These types of massages are meant to help build you up to prevent injury.

Stress Relief

With the hectic schedule that many people keep, stress management can be an issue. If you are striving to have a healthier lifestyle, massage therapy can help you achieve your goal. Recent studies have shown that massage therapy is a reputable and effective method for stress relief. Some of the benefits of stress relief are lowered blood pressure, lowered heart rates, release of tension in the muscles, and an increased production of endorphins.

The art of massage is a complex topic, but also one of great interest to many. The key to acquiring a good understanding of what massage has the capacity to do for countless individuals is getting your hands on the right information. The article above should serve as a useful reference as you continue your quest for greater understanding of the subject of massage.